From 7 to 11 July 2014, the Special Rapporteur participated in the seventh session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Geneva, Switzerland. During the session, she provided statements on panels related to the post-2015 development agenda, the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Special Rapporteur also held numerous meetings with indigenous representatives and gathered information on the situation of cases of alleged violations of the human rights of indigenous peoples within their countries.

An important aspect of the Special Rapporteur's work is to receive and exchange information with indigenous peoples, their organizations and other sources. The Special Rapporteur relies heavily on information submitted to her in relation to all areas of her work, including promoting good practices, country reports, thematic studies and responding to alleged violations of the human rights of indigenous peoples. The Special Rapporteur places special emphasis on her mandate "to develop a regular cooperative dialogue with all relevant actors" by developing ongoing, long-term strategies for all the work she undertakes.

Communications on alleged human rights violations

As part of her mandate, the Special Rapporteur intervenes in response to alleged violations of the rights of indigenous peoples. The intervention can relate to a human rights violation that has already occurred, is ongoing, or which has a high risk of occurring. The process, in general, involves the sending of a confidential communication to the concerned Government requesting information, commenting on the allegation and suggesting that preventive or investigatory action be taken.

GENEVA (17 June 2014) – The new United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, welcomed El Salvador's move to recognize indigenous peoples and commit to adopt policies to safeguard their ethnic and cultural identities, after ratifying amendments to Article 63 of the Constitution of the Republic.

"This ratification marks a crucial step in recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples in El Salvador and in reversing the historical suppression of indigenous identities and cultures," Ms. Tauli-Corpuz said.

In particular, the Special Rapporteur noted that "the recent Constitutional amendments could be further buttressed by the ratification of International Labour Organisation Convention No. 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries, which remains outstanding in El Salvador."

After the 13th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, UN-NGLS interviewed Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, the recently appointed Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, on her priorities as Special Rapporteur and her reflections on the outcomes of the Permanent Forum.